VZW Treo user looking to switch to an 8830 (AKA don't kill the new guy!)

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Hello all

I currently have a Treo 700p and I just can't stand it any longer! It freezes up on me all the time, I have to reset it, etc.

I run my own small business doing lighting design, photography and corporate production. I am on the road, A LOT, and being in touch through phone and email is very important. Since it's my own business, I have one phone for business and personal use. Last month I logged over 2400 minutes with my treo, and quite a bit of data.

I am considering the 8830, have been doing a lot of research, but have a few reservations and questions.

First and foremost, ringtone volume and vibrate. I have read a LOT of complaints about the ringtones on this phone, and that the vibrate sucks. Being a contractor, if I miss a call or email, that could be a missed job if they just keep on going down the list! I have read a lot of griping about it, and I came up with my own idea. I'm sure someone else has thought of this before, but, this phone supports MP3 ringtones, correct? What happens if you boost the volume of the MP3 before putting it on the phone?

And on the subject of ringtones, can you assign a different one for different people/groups without 3rd party software?

Next subject: Freezing. My treo has almost ended up on the side of the highway quite a few times. I understand nothing is perfect, BUT, locking up and having to be reset more than once or twice a month is unacceptable. I have read conflicting things about the 8830 freezing on other forums, and am hoping that it is not a problematic thing. BB is supposed to be the most stable platform out there, right?

Next subject: Tethering. I have also read a lot about tethering the phone. on my Treo, I use USBmodem for occasional web browsing, looking at some contract calendars, emailing attachments, etc. I do all my work on Macs, and my portable is a MacBook Pro. I feel that I already pay VZW upwards of $130/mo, I'm not giving them an extra $15 for a few minutes of tethering access a month. Are there any programs that are comprable to USBmodem for the BB?

Lastly, is there anything else I should know as I consider switching? words of wisdom? programs that are a "must have?"

As for ringtones, yes, if you use a ringtone that's encoded with a higher volume, it will be louder when it rings.

Treos are famous for needing constant freezing/rebooting. BBs are much more stable especially if you're careful about aftermarket software. This is a non-issue.

Tethering is definitely possible. Most other carriers don't charge for that. Some of your tethering needs will be fulfilled by the internet capabilities of the device.

I don't have 88xx experience, so can't speak to the issues. I can say that RIM, the manufacturer, has been very proactive in issuing software and firmware fixes. This platform is still a bit new and some kinks are still being worked out. Carriers, however, don't always release the upgrades so quickly. If you stay tuned in here at the forum, you'll be able to find the latest upgrades even if your carrier is slow.

do it, i went from the 650 to the 8830.. amazing phone. my sister went through 3 700p's in her thirty days and after 40 days she was fed up and threw an absolute fit and got an 8830. that's why i went with mine. the few small issues will soon be resolved with OS updates and patches so i wouldn't worry much about those.

This is my first post. I am strongly considering the new 8830 from Verizon. I know Blackberry is far more stable then Windows Mobil, but I have 2 concerns.
First, it is EV-DO and apparently not up-gradable to Rev. A xxx8230;Is that a real big difference in speed? Should I be concerned about it? Second issue is I have noticed far less software for the BB. Are vendors righting more and more software for them. I guess I can wait for Verizonxxx8217;s release of the HTC 6800 just released on Sprint as the Mogul. It is Rev A ..WM 6. Itxxx8217;s very tuff to know which is a better phone.
Thanks for helping
Gary

This is my first post. I am strongly considering the new 8830 from Verizon. I know Blackberry is far more stable then Windows Mobil, but I have 2 concerns.
First, it is EV-DO and apparently not up-gradable to Rev. A ÖIs that a real big difference in speed? Should I be concerned about it? Second issue is I have noticed far less software for the BB. Are vendors righting more and more software for them. I guess I can wait for Verizonís release of the HTC 6800 just released on Sprint as the Mogul. It is Rev A ..WM 6. Itís very tuff to know which is a better phone.
Thanks for helping
Gary

You're really not going to notice a huge difference between EV-DO and Rev. A. Especially where data (email, texts, etc) is concerned. Web browsing is already incredibly fast on EV-DO, so I'm not sure how much faster Rev. A makes it or how noticeable that difference would be.

As for your second concern, ask yourself what software it is you're using and why and then ask if it would be applicable to a BB should you have one. I had a Treo and all that "neat" software that would continually crash my device when I used it. Since switching to BlackBerry I haven't noticed or cared about too many add ons. At first I thought I'd miss the Office editing stuff, but then I realized I virtually NEVER had to edit a document on my phone, nor would I want to.

To the folks who have concerns the very best thing you can do is simply try out the device for thirty days and see if it fits your needs. As someone who has used both, I'd be shocked if you didn't find that the 8830 blew away what you had been previously using.

You're really not going to notice a huge difference between EV-DO and Rev. A. Especially where data (email, texts, etc) is concerned. Web browsing is already incredibly fast on EV-DO, so I'm not sure how much faster Rev. A makes it or how noticeable that difference would be.

As for your second concern, ask yourself what software it is you're using and why and then ask if it would be applicable to a BB should you have one. I had a Treo and all that "neat" software that would continually crash my device when I used it. Since switching to BlackBerry I haven't noticed or cared about too many add ons. At first I thought I'd miss the Office editing stuff, but then I realized I virtually NEVER had to edit a document on my phone, nor would I want to.

To the folks who have concerns the very best thing you can do is simply try out the device for thirty days and see if it fits your needs. As someone who has used both, I'd be shocked if you didn't find that the 8830 blew away what you had been previously using.

Costs $39.95, but well worth it. All these guys do is specialize in sync software between PDAs/Smartphones and the Mac. I just got the 8830 about a week ago, but before that was scouring these forums for everything I could find out about this device. I had the same concern. Although PocketMac is free, folks on these forums overwhelmingly said to get Mark/Space's product instead.

Like I said, I've only had it a week, but I'm the kind who puts software through it's paces and tries to break it. Nothing is perfect, but this stuff is pretty solid. Very flexible setup and flawless sync...so far. Comes up with conflict resolution, let's you choose groups in Address Book, playlists in iTunes, different calendar groups in iCal, etc. I haven't had an issue yet.